Description:

During the 2023/24 season, Ethio-Leap AgroTech, in collaboration with SNV and Endev, successfully commercialized a 360m² solar-powered hydroponic greenhouse for smallholder farmers in Bishoftu, Oromia. This project underscores our commitment to sustainable agriculture and technological innovation.

In this partnership, Ethio-Leap Agro Technology integrated hydroponic techniques, solar power, and advanced irrigation systems to cultivate high-yield crops in a controlled environment. By harnessing solar energy through strategically placed solar panels, the greenhouse powered irrigation/fertigation pumps, provided electricity for lighting, and operated essential equipment. This significantly reduced reliance on traditional energy sources and promoted sustainability.

Project Highlights:

– 🔗 Nexus Approach: Applied the Nexus approach to integrate water, energy, and food systems, ensuring holistic and sustainable resource management.

– 📈 Solar-Powered Greenhouses: Implemented innovative solar-powered greenhouses to enhance crop yields and reduce energy consumption.

– 💧 Hydroponic Systems: Developed efficient hydroponic systems to optimize water usage and promote sustainable farming.

– 👩‍🌾 Community Impact: Created employment opportunities for young women and youth, empowering them with valuable skills and contributing to local economic growth.

Objectives Achieved:

– Integrate Clean Energy: Successfully integrated clean energy sources like solar power with sustainable agriculture practices, including controlled environment hydroponic farming.

– Scale Up Efforts: Committed to scaling up our current demo site to expand our reach and impact.

– Customer Base Development: Focused on creating and expanding our customer base to ensure the long-term sustainability of our initiatives.

What’s Next?

We are excited to continue building on this momentum, scaling up our efforts, and exploring new opportunities to drive agricultural innovation and sustainability. Stay tuned for more updates on our upcoming projects and initiatives